Ginger

Health Benefits of Ginger

Ginger can be used in various forms, such as fresh root, dried, pickled, juiced, tea, extract, preserved, crystallized, candied, oil extract, and ground.

Digestive Health

Ginger supports digestion in several ways, including increasing digestive system’s ability to break down foods, reducing heartburn or indigestion, as a result, absorbing nutrients from the foods quicker. As a result, with a better digestive health, one’s metabolism will also improve, and one shall feel more energetic. Furthermore, consuming ginger helps eliminate gas as well, when one feels bloated and there is too much pressure built up.

Cardiovascular Health

Ginger helps lower blood pressure, by increasing circulation in one’s body, hence reducing overall blood pressure. This lowers the risk of hypertension. Ginger itself contains potassium, a mineral that help reduce blood pressure, at approximately 13% more than that of banana, which is already high in potassium content.

Nausea and Motion Sickness

Ginger is quite effective in reducing nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness. It is also commonly used during pregnancy, chemotherapy, and post-surgeries for the relief of these symptoms. It is definitely a natural and an alternative option to traditional nausea medications such as dimenhydrinate.

Cold and Flu

It is very commonly used in the form of tea when fighting a cold or flu. Ginger helps removes toxins in one’s body, helps maintain body temperature, and is very soothing for the stomach.

Anti-inflammatory & Anti-bacterial & Anti-carcinogenic

Inflammation that happens in our bodies can lead to diseases such as heart disease, auto-immune disorders, and cancer. Ginger helps reduces these risks by inhibiting the production of inflammation-causing proteins that are released by cells in our bodies, as well as reducing the swelling and pain associated with inflammation. Additionally, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger is also effective in relieving asthma symptoms due to allergic response to airway inflammation.

Similarly, ginger also inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria, including bacteria that causes gum diseases, and even bacteria that could potentially cause food poisoning (ie. E. coli).

Ginger has shown to be effective in preventing cancer growth, including lymphoma, hepatoma, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, liver cancer, and bladder cancer, due to its ability to induce apoptosis (cancer and viral cell destruction), and decrease proliferation (mass cellular reproduction).

Blood Sugar

Ginger is a great blood sugar regulator, and helps manage effects caused by diabetes. Ginger helps reduce lipid levels in your body, control body weight, hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia.

Other Benefits of Ginger

Other benefits of ginger include weight loss, arthritis pain, menstrual discomfort, detoxification, eczema relief, enhancing cognitive health, and improving sexual health.

References

[1] Venosta, L. “8 Incredible Health Benefits of Ginger.” (2019).
https://chopra.com/articles/8-incredible-health-benefits-of-ginger

[2] Bode, A., and Dong, Z. “Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects.” The Amazing and Mighty Ginger. (2011).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/

[3] Nagdeve, M. “Top 20 Proven Benefits of Ginger”. (2019).
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/ginger.html

[4] Lockhart, E. “The Incredible Health Benefits of Ginger”. (2019).
https://www.activebeat.com/diet-nutrition/12-incredible-health-benefits-of-ginger/